Update: I was unfortunately not aware of Shamus Young's severe criticism of Fallout 3 available here to link in the original piece and I regret that. It dovetails rather nicely with what I've written and it's much better executed than my piece. I strongly recommend anyone...

From what I saw in Skate 2, this has improved the effect of how professional skateboard games are to be made. The game’s setting is located in a place called “San Vanelona.” Beginning at Slappy’s SkatePark, you not surprising create a skater. The tools to create your skater are no different to any other game; you change the size, and change the clothing and other accessories along with your skater. The feature I enjoy the most is the graphic make on the internet. With this option you can create your own deck and transfer it to the game. This is a plus for the "create a skater" option. You could make various logos/art and place them on your skating equipment

After you create your skater you then test your skills by going through and competing in demos, tranny events, and street events. All are testing your ability to do various tricks. Why must you do various trick? Well, if you don’t, it will remember the same tricks that you have done and you will receive fewer points for that same trick.After completing each task you will begin to unlock other clothing, skaters, decks, wheels, etc. Unlocking each item actually just makes your appearance different; it doesn’t change anything with your skills

Speaking of skills, as I played the career mode, I found the difficult setting to be a little tweaked out. There were no option whether I want to play the career on and easier or harder level. As I played through the career (Since there was no option to difficulty) there were time where I would complete and easy objective, but yet the next activity I do would be increased greatly with difficulty. What’s the deal with the EA? Why was I not given a balanced difficulty for a more controlled level?

Not only was the career was extremely unbalanced with the difficulty levels. The controls are not so great either. Skateboarding and to do various tricks with your right joystick, triggers, and other buttons actually isn’t that bad. It’s nice flow of how to learn the combos. Now getting off your board and running around is what begins a bad decision. Sure you’re able to walk, run, and jump…but it’s extremely limited when the controls are tweaked and hard to maneuver your skater. “You know what? Let’s run and grab the little ramp over there and place it over there.” “D’oh it flipped over, let’s try fixing that kink…Oh no it seems like it don’t want to be placed in the right position.” Not only were there kinks in controlling your character walking, some items you want to move doesn’t seem to want to stay in the right position.

Well not only has the careers’ storyline similar to all the skateboarding games Activision has made with Tony Hawk, it’s the online mode that catches my eye. Allowing the mode “Free skate” online gives the players the ability to freely roam around a spot and allows the players to interact with various activities to complete. The only problem with that is finding players that you’re willing to deal with, some may be better than you, or some maybe extremely dull. Online playing doesn’t have a matched skill level so nonetheless you’re going to be selected with someone random unless it’s a party match and not ranked. Other than that, the various modes they offer for online are unimaginable trying to compete with other skaters.

After playing this game, I came to conclude it’s great with graphics. The speed and concentration of your skater performing many combos is what truly made Skate 2 a success.Although I haven’t played “Skate” I found that this sequel had many qualities that could put a happy smile on my face, or that would let me just curse it with flames of fire of how flawed an experience could be.

Nonetheless, Skate 2 revealed a good control system (only while you’re on your board, if you’re walking or running it’s flawed) Great online activities and player modes for your XBLE, but has a similar storyline to most skateboarding video games. I rate this game a B-